Harry Lennix | |
|---|---|
 Lennix at the 2013San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Harold Joseph Lennix III (1964-11-16)November 16, 1964 (age 61) |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | |
Harold Joseph Lennix III[1] (born November 16, 1964) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Terrence "Dresser" Williams in theRobert Townsend filmThe Five Heartbeats (1991) and asBoyd Langton in theFox science-fiction seriesDollhouse. Lennix co-starred as Harold Cooper, assistant director of theFBICounterterrorism Division, on theNBC dramaThe Blacklist. Lennix also playedJ'onn J'onzz/Calvin Swanwick/Martian Manhunter in theDC Extended Universe filmsMan of Steel,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, andZack Snyder's Justice League.He was nominated for the 2025Tony Award forBest Actor in a Play for his role inPurpose.
The youngest of four siblings, Lennix was born inChicago,Illinois, to Lillian C. (née Vines), a laundry worker, and Harry Lennix Jr., a machinist.[2][3] His mother was African-American and his father wasCreole fromLouisiana.[4] Lennix attendedQuigley Preparatory Seminary South andNorthwestern University, where he majored in Acting and Direction. In his senior year at Northwestern, he was the coordinator of the African-American student organization, For Members Only.[5]
Lennix starred in theShowtime Networkstelevision filmKeep the Faith, Baby (2002) as reverend and CongressmanAdam Clayton Powell Jr.; in the filmTitus (1999), based onShakespeare'sTitus Andronicus, as Aaron the Moor; and in theABCtelevision seriesCommander in Chief. For ten seasons, Lennix co-starred in the role of Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on theNBC dramaThe Blacklist (2013-2023).
In film, Lennix has had supporting roles such asThe Five Heartbeats (1991),Comfortably Numb (1995),Get on the Bus (1996),Love & Basketball (2000),The Matrix series (1999–2004),Ray (2004),Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004),Stomp the Yard (2007), andState of Play (2009).
In television, he had a recurring role inDiagnosis: Murder as Agent Ron Wagner as well as a guestvoice role in theLegion of Super Heroes episode "Timber Wolf" as thetitular character's villainous fatherMar Londo. In the second season ofLegion of Super Heroes, Lennix was replaced in the role byDorian Harewood. He also had a recurring role in thesixth season of24 asMuslim civil rights activist Walid Al-Rezani. He appeared on the seriesHouse M.D. as a paralyzed jazz trumpet player, and in six episodes ofER as Dr. Greg Fischer.[citation needed] He also appeared in the episode "The Blame Game" of the first season ofAlly McBeal. He played the parts ofBoyd Langton inJoss Whedon's seriesDollhouse[6] andU.S. presidentBarack Obama in the comedy sketch showLittle Britain USA.
In 2007, he was an official festival judge at the first annualNoor Iranian Film Festival.
In July 2014, Lennix formed his own production company Exponent Media Group (EMG) along with long time business partner Steve Harris.[7] EMG had a distribution deal with NEHST studios for three of the company's titlesMr. Sophistication,H4 (a street version of William Shakespeare'sHenry IV, which he also starred in), andRevival![7]
In 2015, Lennix appeared inChi-Raq, directed bySpike Lee. Lennix called the film "brave and bold", as it addresses "the violence that’s happening right now in Chicago".[8]Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016 featured Lennix reprising the role of Calvin Swanwick from 2013'sMan of Steel, both directed byZack Snyder. Lennix made an additional appearance as Swanwick in Snyder's version ofJustice League, released in 2021.
During the ChicagoGoodman Theater's 2024-2025 season, he played the role of Henry Drummond in theJerome Lawrence andRobert E. Lee playInherit the Wind.[9]
In 2009, Lennix married business executive Djena Graves.[10][11]
Lennix is a member of theOmega Psi Phi fraternity. He was initiated into the fraternity in November 2012 via the Theta Kappa Kappa graduate chapter inEvanston, Illinois.[12]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Package | Johnny's Field Soldier | |
| 1991 | The Five Heartbeats | Dresser | |
| Victimless Crimes | Baker | ||
| 1992 | Bob Roberts | Franklin Dockett | |
| Mo' Money | Tom Dilton | Credited as Harry J. Lennix | |
| 1994 | Guarding Tess | Kenny Young | Credited as Harry J. Lennix |
| Notes in a Minor Key | Teddy | Short | |
| 1995 | Comfortably Numb | Hamlin Day | |
| Clockers | Bill Walker | ||
| 1996 | Get on the Bus | Randall | |
| 1997 | Chicago Cab | Pissed-Off Boyfriend | Credited as Harry J. Lennix |
| 1999 | The Unspoken | Reverend Bob | |
| Titus | Aaron | ||
| 2000 | Love & Basketball | Nathan Wright | |
| The Artist's Journey: Funk Blast | The Guide | ||
| All or Nothing | Jackson | Short | |
| American Temp | Fred Caesar | Short | |
| 2001 | Home Invaders | Himself | |
| 2002 | Pumpkin | Robert Meary | |
| Collateral Damage | FBI Agent Dray | ||
| Don't Explain | Lee | ||
| Never Get Outta the Boat | Brandon | Credited as Harry J. Lennix | |
| 2003 | Black Listed | Karl Bennett | Short |
| The Matrix Reloaded | Commander Lock | ||
| The Human Stain | Mr. Silk | ||
| The Matrix Revolutions | Lock | ||
| 2004 | Chrystal | Kalid | |
| Barbershop 2: Back in Business | Quentin Leroux | ||
| Suspect Zero | Rich Charleton | ||
| Ray | Joe Adams | ||
| 2005 | Trespass | Daddy | Short |
| 2006 | Shariff Don't Like It | Tom | |
| 2007 | Stomp the Yard | Nate | |
| Resurrecting the Champ | Bob Satterfield Jr. | ||
| Across the Universe | Army Sergaent | ||
| 2008 | Fly Like Mercury | Coach | |
| 2009 | State of Play | Detective Bell | |
| The Interview | Draco | Short | |
| 2012 | The Last Fall | Ron Davis | |
| H4 | King Henry IV | ||
| A Beautiful Soul | Jeff Freeze | ||
| 2013 | Evidence | Ben Tuttle | |
| Man of Steel | General Swanwick | ||
| They Die by Dawn | SheriffBass Reeves | ||
| Sunny and RayRay | Lenotti | ||
| Keep Pushing | Staff Sergeant Hoover | Short | |
| 2014 | Cruel Will | Dr. Frances | |
| Cru | Diego Glass | ||
| The Algerian | Suleyman | ||
| Stand Down Soldier | Officer Freeman | ||
| 2015 | Justice League: Throne of Atlantis | Black Manta | Voice role |
| 72 Hours | God | ||
| Back to School Mom | Lawrence Riley | ||
| Chi-Raq | Commissioner Blades | ||
| 2016 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | Swanwick | |
| Macbeth Unhinged | Banquo | ||
| Timeless | Johnson | ||
| For the Love of Christmas | God | ||
| Retribution | Captain Tucker | ||
| Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission | Principal Sheehan | ||
| 2017 | Needlestick | Ray LeGro | |
| Romeo and Juliet in Harlem | Capulet | ||
| 2018 | That's Harassment | Politician | Short |
| Rehabilition of the Hill | Davidson Livingston | ||
| Canal Street | DJ Terrance Palmer | ||
| Revival | Pilate | ||
| 2020 | Grey Streets | Cardinal Ford | Short |
| Emperor | Frederick Douglass | ||
| Lazaretto | Sufyan | Short | |
| 2021 | Zack Snyder's Justice League | J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter | Director's cut ofJustice League |
| The Almighty Street Team | Calvin James / Black Aizan | ||
| 2022 | Super Turnt | Mr. Denver | |
| Winter Ball | Eddie | ||
| Curse of the Macbeths | Banquo | ||
| Nothing is Impossible | Russell Banks | ||
| 2024 | Cutting Squares | Johnson / Self | |
| Isla Monstro | General Dregg | ||
| Godless | Bishop Rolland | ||
| TBA | L.A. 4ORCE† | Chi-town Harry | Post-production |
| Eyes in the Trees† | Dr. Murphy | Post-production |
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Jack and Mike | Fraternity Brother | Episode: "Personal Foul" |
| 1989 | A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story | Nero | TV movie |
| 1990 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter | Prosecutor Keith Warner | TV movie |
| 1992 | In the Best Interest of the Children | Tim Coffey | TV movie |
| 1994 | Vanishing Son 2 | Andre Laine | TV movie |
| Vanishing Son 4 | André Laine | TV movie | |
| 1995–96 | The Client | Daniel Holbrook | Recurring cast |
| 1996 | The Parent 'Hood | Sergeant Rutledge | Episode: "Goodfella" |
| Murder One | David Bronson | Episode: "Chapter Eleven" | |
| 1997 | Mr. Parnell | Episode: "Chapter Ten, Year Two" | |
| Friends 'Til the End | Prof. Gunderson | TV movie | |
| Too Close to Home | Prosecuting Attorney | TV movie | |
| ER | Dr. Greg Fischer | Supporting cast (season 3) | |
| Living Single | Clayton Simmons | Episode: "The Best Laid Plans" | |
| 1997–98 | Diagnosis: Murder | Agent Ron Wagner | Recurring cast (season 5) |
| 1998 | Ally McBeal | Ballard | Episode: "The Blame Game" |
| Since You've Been Gone | Jordan Cardozo | TV movie | |
| Any Day Now | Garrett | Episode: "Unfinished Symphony" | |
| The Practice | Attorney Wayland Holmes | Episode: "The Pursuit of Dignity" | |
| 1999 | Judging Amy | Mr. Newman | Episode: "An Impartial Bias" |
| JAG | Agent John Nichols | Episode: "Contemptuous Words" | |
| St. Michael's Crossing | Pasternak | Episode: "CBS Pilot Knockin on Heaven's Door" | |
| 2002 | Keep the Faith, Baby | Adam Clayton Powell Jr. | TV movie |
| Girlfriends | Earl | Episode: "My Mother, Myself" | |
| 2003 | The Practice | Asst. Attorney General Parker / Attorney Wayland Holmes | 2 episodes |
| The Handler | DEA Handler | Episode: "Street Boss" | |
| 2004 | Century City | Attorney Attwell | Episode: "Love and Games" |
| Second Time Around | Dr. Oakes | Episode: "For Better or Worse" | |
| 2005 | House | John Henry Giles | Episode: "DNR" |
| 2005–06 | Commander in Chief | Jim Gardner | Main cast |
| 2006 | Legion of Super Heroes | Mar Londo | Voice, episode: "Timber Wolf" |
| 2007 | 24 | Walid Al-Rezani | Recurring cast (season 6) |
| 2008 | Little Britain USA | President of the United States | Recurring cast |
| 2009–10 | Dollhouse | Boyd Langton | Main cast |
| 2010 | Undercovers | Gary Bloom | Episode: "Funny Money" |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Agent Bossy | Episode: "Plummer Park" |
| Hound Dogs | Skip | TV movie | |
| 2012–13 | Emily Owens, M.D. | Dr. Tim Dupre | Recurring cast |
| 2013 | Always Night | Roger Banks | Miniseries |
| Quick Draw | Sherrif Matt Love | Episode: "Nicodemus" | |
| 2013–23 | The Blacklist | Harold Cooper | Main cast |
| 2014 | The Fright Night Files | Ronald | TV movie |
| 2015 | The Marriage Tour | Mr. Wright | Recurring cast (season 2) |
| 2016–23 | Billions | Frank Sacker / Franklin Sacker | Recurring cast |
| 2017 | The Blacklist: Redemption | Harold Cooper | Episode: "Whitehall" |
| Transformers: Robots in Disguise | Cyclonus, Galvatronus | Voice, 2 episodes | |
| 2018–20 | Conrad | Don Brewer | Episode: "Hangin' with Conrad" & "Pilot D.O.A" |
| 2018–21 | Insecure | Marcus Walker | Guest (season 3), recurring cast (season 5) |
| 2021 | A Christmas Together with You | Frank Emory | TV movie |
| 2022 | American Masters | Orpheus Fisher | Voice, episode: "Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands" |
| 2024 | Diarra from Detroit | Walter Harley | Recurring role[14] |
| Destination Heaven | God the Father | Miniseries | |
| Young Love | Russell Young | Voice, 9 episodes | |
| TBA | Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas | Boorman | Voice[15] |
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Enter the Matrix | Commander Jason Lock | Voice acting andfull-motion video cutscenes |
| 2004 | The Matrix Online | Voice acting |
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The Last Days ofCabrini-Green | Himself | Podcast series[16] |
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Titus | Won |
| 2003 | Black Reel Awards | Best Actor in a Television Movie/Mini-Series | Keep the Faith, Baby | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Nominated | ||
| Satellite Awards | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Commander in Chief | Nominated |
| 2025 | Tony Award | Best Actor in a Play | Purpose | Nominated |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
